Prominent GOP figure appears poised for O'side Council run in 2012

Fresh off a recent sweep of the Oceanside City Council election by GOP-affiliated candidates, another local GOP figure is setting his sights on an Oceanside Council bid in 2012.

Donald "Don" McKinney, an aide to Rep Darrell Issa, R-Vista, has filed campaign paperwork with the Oceanside City Clerk’s Office under the committee name “Don McKinney for Oceanside City Council 2012.”

Mayor Jim Wood and council members Esther Sanchez and Jack Feller are up for re-election in 2012.

McKinney recently was defeated in his bid for a seat on the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees. His campaign was marked by an embarrassing gaffe when his campaign statement included several typographical errors.

McKinney said he formed an exploratory committee several months ago, and is waiting to see if other prominent GOP candidates emerge before he commits to run for office.

Because of his regional name recognition and close ties to Oceanside Councilmen Jerry Kern, Gary Felien and Jack Feller, McKinney would be a high-profile candidate in what is expected to be a fierce election.

“I think it’s time, and I am interested in the position,” McKinney said. “A lot will depend on who the local elected officials decide to support. Whatever the coalition chooses to do, I will do it. What I do know is this is an election we have to win.”

Kern said Thursday that he was aware of McKinney’s interest in a council run.

“It’s a long way out, but if he chooses to run, I think Don will make a good candidate,” Kern said.

At stake, as usual in Oceanside, is ideological control of the council, which historically changes hands every few years. While the City Council is a nonpartisan board, partisan politics have typically played a major role in Oceanside elections. Four of the city’s elected officials serve on their respective party central committees.

Kern, Feller and Felien serve on the local GOP committee, and Sanchez serves on the local Democratic committee.

The GOP is angling at gaining a super majority — or potentially complete control — of the Oceanside council. Kern, the night of the Nov. 2 election, said the party will target Sanchez, whom it sees as vulnerable after she voted in favor of several controversial contracts with police and fire unions and after the defeat of her council ally, Lowery.

“We need someone who is going to be dedicated to the city and the people of the city, not just to the unions,” McKinney said.

Sanchez said she has already begun fundraising for her re-election bid.

“I’m always a target,” she said in November. “They targeted me in 2008, and I won my seat. I will work hard and continue to work hard for the citizens of Oceanside.”

Wood, a moderate Republican who aligns with Sanchez on a number of key issues, said he believes Sanchez will withstand this challenge as well.

“No. 1, I think a lot of people out there believe she stands for what they want and represents them in City Hall,” Wood said. “She seems to take on City Hall, and I think people appreciate that about her.”